Crossrail time lapse - Royal Docks drained for Crossrail works

Posted: 13 May 2013

A Victorian rail tunnel beneath the Royal Docks in east London has been exposed to the light of day for the first time in 135 years as part of works to prepare for the arrival of Crossrail trains in 2018.

A hole has been drilled in the exposed crown of the Connaught Tunnel, which runs beneath the Royal Victoria Dock, following work to drain 13 million litres of water from a section of the docks that lie above the tunnel.

Cofferdams measuring 1300sq. metres, around the size of four tennis courts, was put in place to allow a section of the Royal Victoria Dock to be drained so that Crossrail workers can access the tunnel from above. During the draining of the dock a total of 332 fish were removed and safely relocated on either side of the cofferam.